Frontiers Music presents The New Breed

February 20, 2018 by David Vousden in Blues, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, News, Tour Dates

The roots of the Italian Frontiers label can be traced back to 1996 and over the years they've expanded to become a major player in classic rock / hard rock / melodic rock / AOR circles. Previous label releases include some of the biggest names in the genre including Whitesnake, Yes, Def Leppard, Rick Springfield, Journey etc. The label recently opened offices in London and announced the first edition of 'Frontiers - New Breed Night' which will showcase three British acts recently signed to the label. The event takes place at The Black Heart in London's Camden on April 26th with Doomsday Outlaw, Dirty Thrills and The Brink turning up the volume. Much more about Frontiers and The New Breed follows:

Gitta De Ridder 'For Everything A Season' due March 23rd

February 19, 2018 by David Vousden in Folk, News, Pop, singer-songwriter, Video

Anglo-Dutch singer-songwriter Gitta De Ridder makes a welcome return on March 23rd with her new album 'For Everything A Season' the highly anticipated follow up to 2016's 'Feathers' which was a favourite here at RGM towers. In more good news Gitta will be playing a run of shows in April, so if you've not seen her live you really should. The latest single taken from the album 'The Wheel' is out now and is accompanied by a quirkily cool video. Much more about the new album, the video for 'The Wheel', tour dates and previous RGM coverage of Gitta De Ridder follows:

Maverick Festival announces first names for 2018

February 14, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Festivals, Folk, News, Tour Dates

The Maverick Festival has announced the first names for the 2018 event set for Friday 6th - 8th July. Now in its eleventh year, the Maverick Festival has become an integral part of the Americana scene in the UK and always hosts an impressive range of artists. This year will be no different with a mix of returning favourites and many performers new to Maverick including Jonathan Byrd, Terra Lightfoot, The Danberrys, Leeroy Stagger and Arkansas Dave. More details about the event and the acts scheduled to appear follows:

Mary Chapin Carpenter announces new album and UK tour dates

February 12, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Country, Festivals, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

Mary Chapin Carpenter will release her new album via Thirty Tigers on March 30th. Produced by Ethan Johns the record finds the acclaimed singer-songwriter reinterpreting a track from each of her previous twelve albums. The album 'Sometimes Just The Sky' is titled after the one newly written song on the record. To support the release Carpenter will embark on a UK tour in May with special guest Emily Barker on the majority of the dates. Full details about the album and those tour dates follow:

Lindsay Ell's The Project to get UK Physical Release 9th March

February 09, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, News, Tour Dates, Video

Lindsay Ell will be returning to the UK in March at the C2C Festival at London's O2 and as a part of the C2C Roadshow. To coincide with the dates her critically acclaimed debut album 'The Project' will receive a very welcome UK physical release on March 9th via BMG/BBR. If you were lucky enough to see Lindsay on her UK visit back in October (review) then you won't need me to tell you she's pretty great live. If you're new to Lindsay Ell then more about the lady, the project and those dates follow:

Johnny Cash: Forever Words due April 6th on CD, 2LP and Digital.

February 08, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, News

One of my earliest musical memories is of my dad playing 'Live At San Quentin' when I was a child. Johnny Cash and his music would play an important part in my musical education and eventually the launch of Red Guitar Music, so anything Johnny Cash related always makes me sit up and take notice. Johnny Cash: Forever Words is a collection of songs, performed by artists of the stature of Elvis Costello, Alison Krauss, John Mellencamp, Brad Paisley and the late Chris Cornell, constructed from the poems, lyrics and letters of Johnny Cash. One look at the video trailer for the album and you feel this project is in very safe hands. I can't wait to hear these songs when the album is released on April 6th via Legacy Recordings. More about the album including the track listing and the preview trailer follows:

Megan O'Neill releases video for 'Ghost Of You' single + London show

February 03, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Video

London based singer-songwriter Megan O'Neill has released a video for her recent single 'Ghost Of You' which does a great job of capturing the essence of the song. Megan and her band will be appearing at the regular Nashville Nights event at Under The Bridge in London on March 10th. In the meantime more about Megan, the video for 'Ghost Of You' and her thoughts on the song/video follows:

Brothers Osborne to release 'Port Saint Joe' April 20th before UK dates

February 02, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, News, Tour Dates, Video

Brothers Osborne will release their eagerly anticipated new album 'Port Saint Joe' on April 20th via Snakefarm Records. The record is expected to build on the success of their 'Pawn Shop' debut album which has now been certified as a Gold record in the USA. The new album is again produced by Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Little Big Town) and includes their latest 'Shoot Me Straight' single. Following the album release the duo will return to the UK / ROI for a run of dates including an already Sold Out London show at KOKO. Those tour dates, more about Brothers Osborne and the video for 'Shoot Me Straight' follows:

Jimmy Sweet will be 'Burning Like A Fever' come Valentine's Day

February 02, 2018 by David Vousden in Alternative Rock, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Soundcloud

We first introduced you to Jimmy Sweet late last year with the release of his debut single, a cover of the Buzzcocks track 'You Say You Don't Love Me'. On hearing the single I compared Jimmy to another Jim (Steinman) and I'm pleased to say he didn't take offence so we're all good. On Valentine's Day, Jimmy will return with his new single 'Burns Like A Fever' and once again I'm pleased to report Jimmy is doing things his way with a wall of shimmering tremelo guitars, sweeping strings and a more gospel take on those massed voices. It all comes together really well, so maybe the time is right to forgo the flowers and the chocolates and buy your significant other a Jimmy Sweet single on Valentine's Day. Please read on to learn more about Jimmy Sweet and you can also check out the single 'Burns Like A Fever' via Soundcloud:

Missed some great music in January? Check out the RGM Spotify playlist.

January 31, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Country, Folk, News, Showcase, singer-songwriter, Playlist

January was a busy month at RGM with loads of news, new albums and tours announced. If you've missed anything, or just have a hunger to check out some new music, why not take a listen to our first Spotify Playlist that showcases artists featured during the month.

Holloway Road Ticketmaster Session + Live Dates inc C2C shows

January 31, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Country, Festivals, News, Pop, Tour Dates, Video

UK country duo Holloway Road continue to go from strength to strength on the back of successful UK touring and recent singles 'If She Falls' and 'Under Cover.' The guys will continue their touring schedule with a run of stripped back acoustic dates to showcase another side of their music including shows at the C2C festival for the fourth year running. To give fans an idea of what to expect on the dates the boys recently visited Ticketmaster HQ to play a live acoustic session. Those all important dates and the Ticketmaster session follow:

Corey Nolen will release 'Not All Roses' on February 3rd 2018

January 30, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, News, singer-songwriter

The latest release from Birmingham, Alabama singer-songwriter Corey Nolen 'Not All Roses' is his fifth in five years. The prolific Nolen has enlisted the help of vocalist Ashley Spurling this time around, and the result is an album of harmony-driven country music with just a dash of pop. One listen to 'My Love' from the record and you'd have to have a heart of stone to not enjoy the smooth harmonies or appreciate the honesty on display here. We caught up with Corey Nolen for a quick chat about 'Doing Alright' the first track released from the album:

Ramblin' Roots Revue returns to High Wycombe April 6th-8th

January 29, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Festivals, Folk, News, Roots, Tour Dates, Alt-Country

After a successful first event last year, the Ramblin' Roots Revue will return to Bucks Student Union in High Wycombe for three days of Americana, folk, country and roots music in 2018. The event is produced in association with respected UK Americana label Clubhouse Records and they're put together an impressive range of acts including The Magic Numbers, The Rails, Danny and the Champions of the World, Jess Klein, Robert Vincent and Bennett Wilson Poole (whose upcoming album has gone down well in the RGM office). All the info you'll need about the festival follows:

What to expect at C2C 2018

January 29, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Festivals, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

With the annual C2C festival just a few days away this seems like a good time to take a look at all things Country 2 Country at O2 from March 9th - 11th 2018. The press release follows with all the info on the various stages and the many performers appearing over the weekend including the CMA Songwriters Series (On the 8th March) and the BBC Radio 2 Stage:

American Folk OST featuring Joe Purdy & Amanda Rubarth available now

January 26, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Folk, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates, Video, Soundtrack

The soundtrack to American Folk is released today (January 26th) via Thirty Tigers. American Folk features Joe Purdy and Amanda Rubarth as two strangers, and folk singers, whose lives take an unexpected turn after the events of 9/11. The film, which has been picking up awards at various film festivals, is now on release at selected cinemas in the USA while Purdy and Rubarth are touring to promote the soundtrack. More about American Folk including the trailer for the film and 'Someone Singing With Me' a track from the soundtrack follows:

O&O return with new 'Some Days' single January 26th

January 26, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, New Single, News, singer-songwriter

The multi-national duo of Obadiah Jones and Orian Peled are looking to build on the success of their debut single 'Traveling' from last year with an new single 'Some Days' set for release January 26th. Now based in London, 2018 is looking like a big year for the duo and their harmony-driven sound, which is sure to appeal to fans of The Black Feathers, Lewis & Leigh and The Wandering Hearts, More about the long road O&O have taken to get to 'Some Days' follows:

Tom Waits reissues continue with entire 1970s Elektra Asylum catalogue via Anti- in 2018

January 23, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Blues, News, singer-songwriter, Vinyl

In October of 2017 RGM bought you news of remastered reissues of Tom Waits' Anti- Records label albums here. Now the label will continue the reissue campaign with remastered reissues of his complete 1970's Elektra Asylum catalogue commencing March 9th with his debut 'Closing Time' on CD, LP and Digital. Six more albums will also be released digitally on that day. CD reissues of the remaining six albums are set for March 23rd with vinyl reissues to follow throughout 2018. The press release with a full rundown of the albums included in the campaign follows:

The Grahams announce limited tour only Pretenders/Mazzy Star covers 7" single

January 20, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Festivals, New Single, News, Soundtrack, Tour Dates

Nashville based Americana duo The Grahams will return to the UK in February/March for an almost month long run of dates. The dates will include two shows at the C2C / Country 2 Country festival at the O2 in London on March 9th-10th. To coincide the duo will release a strictly limited 7" single, only available during the tour, which features their versions of tracks by The Pretenders and Mazzy Star (both tracks are great but the Mazzy Star is especially good). The tracks will feature on the upcoming soundtrack to their feature length Love & Distortion documentary due later this year. More about The Grahams, the tour dates and a link to check out the single follows:

Indie-folk duo Percival Elliott will 'Save Your Soul' in 2018

January 18, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Folk, New Single, News, Video

Every so often something appears in the RGM inbox so classy that you'd kick yourself if you didn't say something about it. Indie-folk duo Percival Elliott exhibit refinement and grace on their new single 'Forever' which is from their upcoming album 'Save Your Soul' due early in 2018. Olly Hite and Samuel Carter-Brazier are Percival Elliott and their brand of striking piano melodies, gentle harmonies and sumptuous strings has a timeless quality that you just don't hear every day. More about the duo, the family history that inspired the name and the stunning video for 'Forever' follows:

Torgeir Waldemar is looking back to move forward on new album.

January 17, 2018 by David Vousden in Folk, Classic Rock, News, singer-songwriter

Torgeir Waldermar came to the attention of Red Guitar Music through his terrific second 'No Offending Borders' album release back in 2017 (reviewed here). The album found the folky troubadour of his debut rockin' out in a Neil Young circa Crazy Horse vein. For 'Jamais Vu' Waldermar surprises once again as he reevaluates songs from both albums and turns them on their heads. Tracks from 'No Offending Borders' are stripped back acoustically while songs from the debut gain electric guitars and expanded arrangements. 'Jamais Vu' will be released in the UK on March 9th via Jansen Records. In the meantime please read on to check out a track from the album alongside an explanation for the reasoning behind the album and that title: